Posted: December 16th, 2022
Former Mirror librarian MARTYN DOWD has died. He passed away on December 15, 2022, aged 76. We send sincere condolences to Martyn’s family. His funeral service is at Kent and Sussex Crematorium on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 11:30 am. Martyn’s family have created a tribute page for him here: https://martyndowd.muchloved.com/
From Martyn’s family: Martyn was born on September 17, 1946 in Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire. He grew up in Tottenham, North London, where his parents Bert and Doris owned a newsagent’s shop. Martyn attended Markfield Secondary Modern School in Tottenham. His early love of football saw him play for Tottenham Schoolboys and, later, Edmonton Football Club, although his supporter’s allegiance was alway with Arsenal.
Martyn spent most of his working life in the Daily Mirror picture library, where he met Susan, his wife of 51 years. After their marriage in 1971, Martyn and Susan moved to Tonbridge where they spent 50 happy years together, and had two loving children, Michelle and Mark.
Martyn’s other love was horseracing and he spent many enjoyable afternoons at the races. Whenever we asked him if he had backed any winners, he would always reply: “I got out of trouble on the last.”
Tributes from colleagues:
Tom Ashmore: One of the nicest guys you could ever meet, that was Martyn, and I was lucky having worked alongside him in the Mirror’s picture library at Holborn, and then Watford, until I left the company in 1995. We always kept in touch and got together at the annual AMP meeting and a had drink afterwards. Always a half for Martyn. Together with his wife Susan Orme (secretary to Mirror fashion editor Leslie Ebbetts) Martyn was a surprise guest at my 80th birthday celebration. Martyn liked a bet and got more involved by owning a greyhound. Quite a few library members put a few bob on Fair Beauty. In 1968, Martyn’s greyhound won The Water Rats Trophy at Harringay Stadium, with prize money of £1000, in the presence of the Duke of Edinburgh and comedian Jimmy Wheeler. A sad loss. A fine man.
John Ainsworth: Absolutely astounded to hear that, and so sorry. The first thing my wife said was: “He was such a lovely man.” Condolences to Susan. So so sad.
David Ash: So sad. Martyn was a true gentleman in every sense. The most inoffensive man you could meet. So much so, everyone liked and respected him as a friend as well as a work colleague. He was good company professionally and socially, stood back, but was never a wallflower. Never one to get involved in anything controversial, he was the first to see the funny side of any situation. Although unfortunately I have not met up with him for a number of years, the world will seem a darker, lonelier place without him. R.I.P. Martyn.
Pete Bignell: Sad news, great guy and great Arsenal fan.
Hugh Gallacher: Another sad loss – Young Martyn, as we called him was liked and respected by everyone in the office. He was quite close to [the late] Ron Aust who was also one of the good guys. My thoughts are with his family for their sad Christmas.
John Miller: So sad. I remember Martyn as one of the kindest and most polite colleagues and great to work with. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Maureen Rule: What a shock, such a nice guy. I lived quite close to his Dad’s newsagents. I went to Wembley with him to see Arsenal play Leeds in the Cup Final.
Bob Turner: Sad news, my thoughts are with Martyn’s family. I’ll always remember him as a friendly colleague with no side to him.
Peter Strong: A lovely guy, he will be missed.